Welcome to The Equity Connection!
Sherrice Thomas, VP of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access

The Equity Connection is designed to support both diverse suppliers and companies looking to diversify. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and access are critical for the success of any organization, and through our newsletter, we aim to create a community that fosters collaboration, growth, and success for all parties involved. We will provide valuable insights, resources, and opportunities for diverse suppliers to connect with potential clients and for companies to find qualified and reliable suppliers that can help them meet their goals. Join our community and be part of creating a more equitable and inclusive business environment that benefits everyone.
Let's Talk About Economic Inclusion
LET’S TALK ABOUT ECONOMIC INCLUSION

As we grow in the business community’s equity and inclusion space, we have adopted more relevant terminology. One term we’re hearing more often is economic inclusion. Economic inclusion is about ensuring all individuals and communities, regardless of their background or circumstances, have access to and can actively participate in the formal financial and economic systems in our country. The goal is to reduce economic disparities, promote social equity, and foster overall economic development.

As a business owner, embracing the concept of economic inclusion can provide numerous advantages to your organization. Here's why you should consider promoting economic inclusion within your business:

  • Expanding Customer Base: By making basic financial services accessible and affordable to all, including underserved communities, you open up new markets for your products or services. This can lead to increased revenue.
  • Enhanced Workforce: Economic inclusion can lead to a more diverse and skilled workforce. When individuals from various backgrounds have access to economic opportunities, your business can tap into a broader talent pool, potentially boosting innovation and productivity.
  • Financial Literacy: Business finance literacy ensures that you and your team can make more informed financial decisions. This, in turn, can lead to better financial management, cost control, and increased profitability.
  • Supplier Development: Access to entrepreneurial support services can help your business thrive. These services can provide crucial guidance, funding, and technical assistance, enabling you to scale your operations or explore new business ventures.
  • Legal and Regulatory Advocacy: An environment that advocates for economic inclusion through government and industry policies can create a fair playing field. This can reduce compliance costs and foster a more supportive business ecosystem.
  • Social Responsibility: Engaging in economic inclusion initiatives demonstrates your commitment to social equity. This can enhance your brand's reputation, making it more attractive to socially conscious customers and investors.
  • Economic Growth: A more inclusive economy benefits everyone. It leads to greater economic stability, reduced income inequality, and increased social and economic mobility. A thriving, diverse economy can lead to higher consumer spending and increased business opportunities.

By actively promoting economic inclusion, your business can become a catalyst for positive change in your community and beyond. You'll not only contribute to a more equitable society but also position your company for long-term success in an increasingly diverse and interconnected world.

If you'd like to explore how your organization can get involved in promoting economic inclusion, we encourage you to reach out to us to discuss potential opportunities. Your efforts in this space could be showcased in "The Equity Connection," providing your business with valuable exposure and recognition for your commitment to fostering economic inclusion and driving overall economic development.
 Legislative Corner
Tracking legislation that impacts diversity, equity, inclusion, and access in our region is crucial for awareness, compliance, legal responsibilities, social progress, benchmarking, best practices, and gaining a competitive advantage. It allows individuals and organizations to stay informed, adapt their practice, and actively contribute to creating a more inclusive and equitable society.

The Columbus Chamber of Commerce is a bipartisan organization. In this section of our newsletter, we share legislation that has an impact on economic growth, job creation, and community prosperity while acknowledging the importance of bipartisan cooperation to achieve these goals. To learn more, reach out to Desmond Bryant, VP of Government Relations.

Issue 1: Right to Reproductive Freedom with Protections for Health and Safety

Ohio Issue 1 is the right to make reproductive decisions, including abortion initiative to:
  • Establish in the State of Ohio’s Constitution an individual right to one’s own reproductive medical treatment, including but not limited to abortion;
  • Create legal protections for any person or entity that assists a person with receiving reproductive medical treatment, including but not limited to abortion;
  • Prohibit the citizens of the State of Ohio from directly or indirectly burdening, penalizing, or prohibiting abortion before an unborn child is determined to be viable, unless the State demonstrates that is using the least restrictive means;
  • Grant a pregnant woman’s treating physician the authority to determine, on a case-by-case basis, whether an unborn child is viable;
  • Only allow citizens of the State of Ohio to prohibit an abortion after an unborn child is determined by a pregnant woman’s treating physician to be viable and only if the physician does not consider the abortion necessary to protect the pregnant woman’s life or health; and
  • Always allow an unborn child to be aborted at any stage of pregnancy, regardless of viability, if in the treating physician’s determination, the abortion is necessary to protect the pregnant woman’s life or health.
To learn more about this amendment, visit the Ohio Secretary of State’s Ballot Board.

Potential Workplace Impact
Women’s participation in the workforce and their earnings hinge on their access to health care and childcare.
 
Issue 2: Marijuana Legalization Initiative 2023

Ohio Issue 2 is the recreational marijuana legalization initiative to legalize marijuana for adults 21 years old and older, allowing adults to possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana and grow up to six mature marijuana plants and up to six seedlings, and enacting a 10% tax on marijuana sales. To learn more about this amendment, visit the Ohio Secretary of State’s Ballot Board.

Potential Workplace Impact
Employers will want to revisit their drug testing policies. To learn more about the potential impact on the workplace and equity, read Recruiting Daily’s 2023 and Beyond: What Employers Need to Know about Marijuana in the Workplace.
 
Issue 11: Columbus City Schools Levy - https://www.ccsoh.us/issue11levy

The Columbus Public School District placed a combined 7.7 mill levy (4.7 mill) Permanent Improvement Levy and a (3.0 mill) Operating Levy on the November 7, 2023 ballot.

Potential Workplace Impact
Employees with students in the Columbus Public School District will eventually experience advanced student achievement, modernized district facilities, and enhanced whole child supports, which should result in an enhanced future workforce. Also, employees who own property in the Columbus Public School District will experience a slight increase in their property taxes.
 
Issue 16: Columbus Metropolitan Library Levy - https://www.columbuslibrary.org/library-levy/

The Columbus Metropolitan Library place a levy on the November 7, 2023 ballot to fund operating expenses for continued investments in materials, resources, technology, programs, and facilities.

Potential Workplace Impact
Issue 16 impacts employees who live in a library system serving the residents of Franklin County and does not apply to residents who live in the other six library systems within the county (Bexley, Upper Arlington, Grandview, Southwest, Worthington, and Westerville).

Employees in the Columbus Metropolitan Library system jurisdiction will experience continued services and programs that prepare children for kindergarten, enhance third-grade reading proficiency, increase high school graduation rates, and provide college and career readiness and employment resources. Also, employees who own property in Franklin County may experience a slight tax increase.

Small business owners and non-profit leaders should check out the library’s Business and Nonprofit Resource Center on the third floor at Main Library, 96 S. Grant Avenue.

For further information and questions, please contact Desmond Bryant at dezbryant@COLUMBUS.ORG.
Bidding Opportunities
Are you interested in exploring bidding opportunities with the City of Columbus and the State of Ohio? If so, click on the following links to learn more.

The LSS CHOICES Clinical and Case Management expansion project aims to leverage existing Medicaid-eligible services and expand our clinical and supportive services for domestic violence survivors. The goal of this project is to help survivors heal from their trauma and eliminate the cycle of abuse. To ensure success, we are seeking a Clinical Expansion Project Consultant. To learn more, reach out to Rachel Lustig, President and CEO, at rlustig@lssnetworkofhope.org or 614-429-5475.

If you have bidding opportunities you’d like us to share with our members, reach out to Sherrice Sledge-Thomas.
Business Grants and Accelerators
Are you interested in exploring grant opportunities with JobsOhio and the Neighborhood Joy Grant Program? If so, click on the following links to learn more.

If you have grants you’d like us to share with our members, reach out to Sherrice Sledge-Thomas.
Upcoming Meetings and Events